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About this project

Thanks for looking. Our wonderful backers help made CloudFTP the 3rd most funded Kickstarter Technology project as of January 6, 2012. Please visit our new home at http://www.cloudftp.com where you can get more product information, purchase the product and seek technical support. Do also visit our the CloudFTP discussion forum at http://forum.cloudftp.com. Cheers!

Background

USB mass storage devices (USB hard drives, flash drives, card readers, digital cameras etc.) are one of most commonly used digital storage media. Yet it is almost impossible to connect a USB storage device to recent inventions like the iPad, iPhone or Cloud without much hassle and going through a computer.

The Solution

CloudFTP is a pocket size adapter that can turn any USB storage device into a wireless file server, sharing files with WiFi-enabled devices (iPad, iPhone, computer etc.). It can also automatically connect to the Internet to backup and synchronize your USB data with popular online Cloud storage services like iCloud, Dropbox and box.net.

By default, CloudFTP creates its own (ad-hoc) wireless WiFi network to share the connected USB data. Users just need to join this network from their WiFi-enabled devices to access the USB storage device wirelessly by means of a HTML5 web app, dedicated iOS/Android app or FTP client. This network works independently of the Internet and other existing wireless networks.

Infrastructure (Internet) mode

Alternatively, CloudFTP can also join an existing (infrastructure) wireless WiFi network to share with devices on the same network. CloudFTP will automatically connect to the Internet (if present) to backup/sync the USB data with popular online Cloud storage services like iCloud, Dropbox and box.net.

How are we going to do it?

Marrying our expertise in our earlier portable storage (HyperDrive) and power (HyperJuice) products, we developed a patent pending solution based on the high performance, energy efficient and cost effective ARM9 microprocessor, the same processor that is used in some of the most powerful mobile devices today. Our unique software drives the powerful processor that links up the USB connection to a fast wireless WiFi modem, all powered by an energy efficient power management system, in the tiniest possible product footprint.

The end result is a single, compact, portable, affordable plug-n-play solution that bridges USB storage and the wireless Cloud. Just plug the USB storage device into CloudFTP and the data will instantly be accessible wirelessly to the Cloud, iPad, iPhone and other WiFi-enabled devices.

How will the funds be used?

We plan to sell the CloudFTP at retail for $99.95. After all, products with similar but lesser components are selling for $89.95 http://beagleboard.org/bone.

However we decided to offer the CloudFTP to our Kickstarter backers for a very low price of $69 so that more people can enjoy what we believe is a really useful product. However to offer at such a low price, we need to achieve a critical volume at launch, hence the $100,000 funding goal. Yes the funding goal is high but our earlier products have sold for more in a shorter span of time, so we are confident of achieving this target.

We have already committed in designing the solution and making the working prototypes. Your funding will help make mass production of the CloudFTP and its offering at a low price a reality.

Our Progress So Far

We have since developed the first working prototype which we demonstrated the proof of concept in the video above. We are happy to announce that the first prototype and concept of CloudFTP has won this Kickstarter project the prestigious CES 2012 Design & Engineering Showcase Honors.

Products entered in this prestigious program are judged by a preeminent panel of independent industrial designers, engineers and members of the media to honor outstanding design and engineering in cutting edge consumer electronics products across 32 product categories.

We are confident that this will be the first of many awards to come and with your support, CloudFTP will be our best product ever.

Once connected, you can access CloudFTP and the connected USB storage device from any web browser just by entering the IP web address listed on the CloudFTP LCD screen. This will fire up a web browser application that allows you to change the settings of CloudFTP as well as access the contents of the USB storage device like Mac OS Finder or Windows Explorer. We will also release a dedicated iOS and Android apps that will perform the same function as the web app.

CloudFTP is also compatible with apps that support FTP like Goodreader, Goodplayer, iFiles to name a few. You can use these apps to download, upload, open, access, manage files on the USB storage device.

Yes you can connect CloudFTP to multiple USB devices via a USB hub. The only thing you need to consider is that CloudFTP only outputs 5W (5V/1A) through its USB port so if you are connecting multiple power hungry USB devices, you need to use a powered USB hub.

CloudFTP by default will create an ad-hoc WiFi hotspot. The WiFi hotspot SSID name and password will be displayed on the LCD screen. Using a WiFi-enabled device, you can connect to the WiFi hotspot created by CloudFTP and access the CloudFTP web app from any web browser. From the web app, you can see a list of WiFi networks in the vicinity of CloudFTP and join them. If the WiFi network is secured, you will be prompted to enter a password. Once you confirm, CloudFTP will restart and join the new network. When you are out of range of the new network or if you reset CloudFTP, it will revert back to the default ad-hoc network mode again.

If you are interested in distributing or reselling the CloudFTP in the U.S., please send a message to the project creator.

If you are interested in distributing or reselling the CloudFTP outside the U.S., please drop an email to hendrik@sanho.com

Please note that we will only make the CloudFTP available to distributors and resellers after we have fulfilled ALL orders from our kickstarter backers. If you wish to enjoy the same priority, do consider pledging for the priority reseller reward.

CloudFTP is designed as a portable "bring anywhere, use anywhere" device and we want to make it as tiny and affordable as possible. An ethernet port will increase the product size and cost significantly and we feel will not serve the majority of CloudFTP users.

USB 3.0 would be overkill since USB 2.0 access speed (480Mbps) is faster than most WiFi 801.11n data rates (typically lesser than 480Mbps). Since USB 3.0 devices are backward compatible with USB 2.0, CloudFTP would have no issue connecting to USB 3.0 devices.

Rewards

You selected

Pledge $1 or more

99 backers

Every dollar counts. By pledging $1 or more, you will be immortalized as a "backer" in the credits on the CloudFTP web, iOS and Android app. The more you pledge, the earlier you pledge, the higher your name will appear on the official backers credit list.

Estimated delivery:Feb 2012

You selected

Pledge $69 or more

212 backers
All gone!

You will be one of the first in the world to get a CloudFTP in the color of your choice. Price includes domestic USA shipping. Please add $10 for international shipping.

Estimated delivery:Feb 2012

You selected

Pledge $69 or more

1,799 backers

For $69 pledge you will get a CloudFTP, which will sell for $99.95 at retail. Price includes domestic USA shipping. Please add $15 for international shipping.

Estimated delivery:Feb 2012

You selected

Pledge $135 or more

488 backers

You will be one of the first in the world to get not one but TWO (2) CloudFTP in the color of your choice. Price includes domestic USA shipping. Please add $20 ($10/unit) for international shipping.

Estimated delivery:Feb 2012

You selected

Pledge $199 or more

115 backers

You will be one of the first in the world to get not one but THREE (3) CloudFTP in the color of your choice. Price includes domestic USA shipping. Please add $30 ($10/unit) for international shipping.

Estimated delivery:Feb 2012

You selected

Pledge $500 or more

1 backer
Limited (1 left of 2)

Bronze Backer

You will be one of the first in the world to get not one but FOUR (4) CloudFTP in the color of your choice

PLUS

We will personally thank you by mentioning your name and featuring your photo in a full page color advertisement on the back cover of UK's iPad & iPhone User Magazine (circulation: 18,000) or UK's Tap! The iPhone & iPad Magazine (circulation: 18,000). Limit 1 backer per magazine ad.

Estimated delivery:Feb 2012

You selected

Pledge $750 or more

2 backers
All gone!

Silver Backer. You will be one of the first in the world to get not one but FIVE (5) CloudFTP in the color of your choice

PLUS

We will personally thank you by mentioning your name and featuring your photo in a full page color advertisement on the back cover of Macworld UK Magazine (circulation: 23,000) or MacFormat UK Magazine (circulation: 29,000). Limit 1 backer per magazine ad.

Estimated delivery:Feb 2012

You selected

Pledge $1,000 or more

1 backer
All gone!

Gold Backer (limit: 1 backer)

You will be one of the first in the world to get not one but SIX (6) CloudFTP in the color of your choice

PLUS

We will personally thank you by mentioning your name and featuring your photo in a full page color advertisement on the back cover of MacLife US Magazine (circulation: 120,000)

Estimated delivery:Feb 2012

You selected

Pledge $1,000 or more

1 backer
All gone!

Gold Backer (limit: 1 backer)

You will be one of the first in the world to get not one but SIX (6) CloudFTP in the color of your choice

PLUS

We will personally thank you by mentioning your name and featuring your photo in a full page color advertisement in Macworld US Magazine (circulation: 240,000)

Estimated delivery:Feb 2012

You selected

Pledge $2,500 or more

2 backers
All gone!

Worldwide Platinum Backer You will be one of the first in the world to get not one but SEVEN (7) CloudFTP in the color of your choice PLUS We will personally thank you by mentioning your name and featuring your photo in a full page color advertisement in one US magazine (Macworld or MacLife) AND one UK magazine (Tap! or iPad & iPhone User). Limit 1 backer mentioned per magazine ad.

Estimated delivery:Feb 2012

You selected

Pledge $5,000 or more

0 backers
Limited (1 left of 1)

Worldwide Diamond Backer You will be one of the first in the world to get not one but EIGHT (8) CloudFTP in the color of your choice PLUS We will personally thank you by mentioning your name and featuring your photo in a full page color advertisement in one US magazine (Macworld or MacLife) AND one UK magazine (Macworld or MacFormat). We will only mention 1 backer per ad so this is really exclusive!

Estimated delivery:Feb 2012

You selected

Pledge $7,500 or more

0 backers
Limited (1 left of 1)

Worldwide Double Diamond Backer You will be one of the first in the world to get not one but NINE (9) CloudFTP in the color of your choice PLUS We will personally thank you by mentioning your name and featuring your photo in a full page color advertisement in one US magazine (Macworld or MacLife) AND two UK magazine (Macworld or MacFormat AND Tap! or iPad & iPhone User). We will only mention 1 backer per ad so this is really exclusive!

Estimated delivery:Feb 2012

You selected

Pledge $10,000

0 backers

Ultimate High Roller Backer. Las Vegas!

2 return air tickets (within continental USA), 2 nights 5-star hotel stay for you and your partner to visit the CloudFTP/Sanho Corporation booth at the Consumer Electronics Show 2012 (Jan 10-13, 2012), located at the first row of Las Vegas Convention Center North Hall which features companies making Apple accessories where we will announce to the entire show floor that YOU ARE OUR #1 BACKER! All our staff members will want to give you high fives, have your autograph and have pictures/videos taken with you and your partner.

You and your partner will each have a special CloudFTP/Sanho Corporation CES 2012 Exhibitor Pass with your names on it.

In the evening, we will also buy you and your partner a fine dinner and drinks at one of the top clubs.

You will also be the very first in the world to receive not one but TEN (10) CloudFTP in the color of your choice PLUS We will personally thank you by mentioning your name and featuring your photo in a full page color magazine advertisement.

Estimated delivery:Jan 2012

You selected

Pledge $10,000

1 backer
All gone!

Priority Reseller. You will receive 180 units of CloudFTP with free worldwide shipping and be recognized as an official CloudFTP reseller with priority over our other resellers. The earlier the pledge, the higher the priority.

Estimated delivery:Feb 2012

You selected

Pledge $10,000

0 backers

Priority Reseller. You will receive 165 units of CloudFTP with free worldwide shipping and be recognized as an official CloudFTP reseller with priority over our other resellers. The earlier the pledge, the higher the priority.

Estimated delivery:Feb 2012

Funding period

Nov 7, 2011 - Jan 6, 2012
(60 days)

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